Youth Team Edged Out In Lancashire Derby

Ethan Walker's late goal saw the youth team lose out 1-0 to local rivals Preston North End yesterday.

Blackpool, without Rowan Roache who is away on international duty, started the game well and created several opportunities in the early stages.

Just minutes into the match, Seb Des Pres went on a run from midfield until he reached the edge of the area where he had a shot blocked.

Shortly after, Ewan Bange played a great low ball across the face of goal but the cross was scrambled clear by a Preston defender ahead of Christian N’Guessan who was ready to pounce.

Bange was involved in the play again when he tapped in Jack Newton’s cross but the striker’s effort was disallowed due the ball going out of play in the build-up.

At the other end of the pitch, Jack Sims had to be alert to stop Harry Garstang’s volley.

Ciaran Donnelly’s side came close again when N’Guessan played a superb through ball into the path of Dylan Sumner who shot straight at Callum Roberts.

The winger didn’t let the wasted opportunity affect him though and went on a mazy run past several defenders to put a shot past the onrushing Roberts but his effort was cleared off the line.

Roberts was then called into action again when Alywn Flynn had a shot blocked and the goalkeeper made a tremendous save to stop the blocked effort from going into the back of the net.

Half-Time: Preston North End 0 Blackpool 0

After the break PNE had a good chance to break the deadlock when Kian Smart flicked on Alex Wood’s free-kick to Michael Howard, who had a close-range header saved by Sims.

However, it wasn’t all one-way traffic for the home side as The Seasiders came close through Bange’s header and then Des Pres brushed the side netting with a low shot.

With the game heading for a draw, Nick Harrison’s side took the lead against the run of play.

Poor delivery from a Des Pres free-kick allowed Preston to quickly launch a counter-attack, which led to the ball being played across the face of goal where Walker was well positioned to tap the ball into an empty net.

The loss comes as a cruel blow to Blackpool, who have now suffered back-to-back league losses for the first time this season.

Their next match is on Saturday against Port Vale at Myerscough College, where they will be looking to get their title push back on track.